Absorbent article having a topsheet that includes selectively openable and closable openings

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article adapted to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer. The article includes a liquid-impervious, flexible backsheet adapted to face outwardly relative to the body a wearer, a liquid-pervious topsheet adapted to face the body of the wearer, and an absorbent core positioned between the backsheet and the topsheet. The topsheet is preferably elastically extensible and includes a plurality of slits or cuts that extend through the topsheet material and that enlarge to define a plurality of openings in the topsheet when it is subjected to tensile forces as it is worn. The openings permit solid and semi-solid bodily exudates to pass through the topsheet to the absorbent core as the diaper is worn. Upon removal of the diaper from the body of the wearer the tensile forces within the topsheet are relaxed, thereby causing the openings in the topsheet to close and substantially conceal from view the bodily exudates that have passed through the topsheet.

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/092,688, filedJun. 5, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,868.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles, such asdisposable diapers. More particularly, the present invention relates toa disposable absorbent article that has a body-facing, extensibletopsheet that includes slits that open when the topsheet is subjected totensile forces and that close when the tensile forces are released.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infants and other incontinent individuals wear absorbent articles suchas diapers and incontinent briefs to receive and contain dischargedurine and other body exudates. Such absorbent articles function both tocontain the discharged materials and to isolate those materials from thebody of the wearer and from the wearer's garments and bed clothing.Disposable absorbent articles having many different basic designs areknown in the art. For example, U.S. Reissue Pat. No. Re. 26,152,entitled “Disposable Diaper,” which issued on Jan. 31, 1967, to Duncanet al., describes a basic disposable diaper structure that has achievedwide acceptance and considerable commercial success.

Disposable absorbent articles that include a topsheet having a single,relatively large area aperture to permit fecal material to passtherethrough are known. Such structures are directed to isolating thefecal material from the body of the wearer. Examples of such knownstructures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,416, entitled“Disposable Absorbent Article Having Elastically Extensible Topsheet,”which issued on Aug. 6, 1991, to Allen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,775,entitled “Trisection Topsheets for Disposable Absorbent Articles andDisposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Trisection Topsheets,” whichissued on Dec. 14, 1993, to Freeland et al.; and U.S. Pat. No.5,624,422, entitled “Absorbent Article Having an Extendible Split Core,”which issued on Apr. 29, 1997, to Allen.

In addition to isolating fecal material from the body of the wearer, itis also highly desirable that fecal material be concealed from view uponremoval of the absorbent article from the body of the wearer. Suchconcealment is especially desirable when the fecal material is insemi-solid or fluid form, which is typical of bowel movements of newbornand very young infants, and of others suffering from diarrhea.Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide adisposable absorbent article that is so configured as to block from viewas much as possible of semi-solid and fluid fecal material that isreceived in article during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention,there is provided an absorbent article that is worn about the waist andlower torso. The article includes a liquid impervious backsheet havingan outer, garment-facing surface and an inner, body-facing surface. Anabsorbent core is provided adjacent the body-facing surface of thebacksheet. The absorbent core has a shape to enable the core to beplaced adjacent the crotch area of the body of a wearer and has thecapacity to absorb liquids. A flexible, liquid-impervious topsheetoverlies the absorbent core, the topsheet including a plurality ofspaced discontinuities that are substantially closed when the topsheetis in an untensioned condition and that are open to define a pluralityof spaced openings extending through the topsheet when the topsheet issubjected to tension, to enable solid and semi-solid fecal materials topass through the topsheet to the absorbent core. Upon removal of thearticle form the wearer the topsheet openings close to substantiallyconceal the fecal material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article in accordance with thepresent invention, in the form of a disposable diaper, having a portionof the structure cut away to reveal underlying structure.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing an absorbent articlein accordance with the present invention with the article in untensionedcondition before application to the body of a wearer.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 2taken along the line 3—3 thereof.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, showing a portion of theabsorbent article subjected to tension in the lateral direction.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 4taken along the line 5—5 thereof.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 showing fecal material thathas passed through openings in the topsheet of the article.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 but showing the article afterthe openings in the topsheet have closed.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a topsheet includingcurvilinear slits.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 but showing the topsheet ofFIG. 8 when placed under tension.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a topsheet includinga plurality of angularly disposed rectilinear slits.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another form of absorbent articlehaving a substantially inelastic backsheet that has a greater width thanthat of an attached elastic topsheet.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an absorbent article in accordance with thepresent invention, in the form of a disposable diaper, having a portionof the structure cut away to reveal underlying structure.

FIG. 13 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the article of FIG. 12taken along the line 6—6 thereof.

FIG. 14 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the an alternativeembodiment of an article of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to devices whichabsorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers todevices which are placed against or in proximity to the body of thewearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from thebody. The term “disposable” is used herein to describe absorbentarticles which generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwiserestored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended tobe discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled,composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatiblemanner). (As used herein, the term “disposed” is used to mean that anelement(s) of the diaper is formed (joined and positioned) in aparticular place or position as a unitary structure with other elementsof the diaper or as a separate element joined to another element of thediaper. As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurationswhereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixingthe element directly to the other element, and configurations whereby anelement is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the elementto intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the otherelement.) A “unitary” absorbent article refers to absorbent articleswhich are formed of separate parts united together to form a coordinatedentity so that they do not require separate manipulative parts like aseparate holder and liner. A preferred embodiment of an absorbentarticle of the present invention is the unitary disposable absorbentarticle, diaper 20, shown in FIG. 1. As used herein, the term “diaper”refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinentpersons about the lower torso. The present invention is also applicableto other absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinenceundergarments, absorbent inserts, diaper holders and liners, femininehygiene garments, wipes, mops, bandages and the like.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in aflat-out, state with portions of the structure being cut-away to moreclearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of thediaper 20 that faces the wearer is oriented towards the viewer. As shownin FIG. 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid pervious topsheet24; a liquid impervious backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28, which ispreferably positioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 andthe backsheet 26; side panels 30; elasticized leg cuffs 32; an elasticwaist feature 34; and a fastening system generally designated 36. Diaper20 is shown in FIG. 1 to have a first waist region 46, a second waistregion 44 opposed to the first waist region 46 and a crotch region 48located between the first waist region and the second waist region. Theperiphery of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper20 in which the longitudinal side edges 50 run generally parallel to thelongitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 runbetween the longitudinal side edges 50 generally parallel to the lateralcenterline 110 of the diaper 20.

The chassis 22 of the diaper 20 comprises the main body of the diaper20. The chassis 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbent core 28and preferably an outer covering layer including the topsheet 24 and thebacksheet 26. Chassis 22 includes an inner, body-facing surface 40 andan outer, garment-facing surface 42. If the absorbent article comprisesa separate holder and a liner, the chassis 22 generally comprises theholder and the liner. (For example, the holder may comprise one or morelayers of material to form the outer cover of the article and the linermay comprise an absorbent assembly including a topsheet, a backsheet,and an absorbent core. In such cases, the holder and/or the liner mayinclude a fastening element which is used to hold the liner in placethroughout the time of use.) For unitary absorbent articles, the chassis22 comprises the main structure of the diaper with other features addedto form the composite diaper structure. While the topsheet 24, thebacksheet 26, and the absorbent core 28 may be assembled in a variety ofwell-known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are describedgenerally in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 entitled “Contractible SidePortions for Disposable Diaper” which issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Jan.14, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,554,145 entitled “Absorbent Article With Multiple Zone StructuralElastic-Like Film Web Extensible Waist Feature” which issued to Roe etal. on Sep. 10, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,234 entitled “DisposablePull-On Pant” which issued to Buell et al. on Oct. 29, 1996; U.S. Pat.No. 5,580,411 entitled “Zero Scrap Method For Manufacturing Side PanelsFor Absorbent Articles” which issued to Nease et al. on Dec. 3, 1996;and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/915,471 entitled “AbsorbentArticle With Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels” filed Aug. 20,1997 in the name of Robles et al.; each of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

The backsheet 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 positionedadjacent the garment-facing surface of the absorbent core 28. Backsheet26 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soilingarticles that may contact the diaper 20, such as bedsheets andundergarments. In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is imperviousto liquids (e.g., urine) and comprises a thin plastic film such as athermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) toabout 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Suitable backsheet films include thosemanufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, Ind. and soldunder the trade names X15306, X10962, and X10964. Other suitablebacksheet materials may include breathable materials that permit vaporsto escape from the diaper 20 while still preventing exudates frompassing through the backsheet 26. Exemplary breathable materials mayinclude materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materialssuch as film-coated nonwoven webs, and microporous films such asmanufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIRNO and by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, Tex., under the designationEXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composite materials comprising polymerblends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio under thename HYTREL blend P18-3097. Such breathable composite materials aredescribed in greater detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746,published on Jun. 22, 1995 in the name of E. I. DuPont and copendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/744,487, filed on Nov. 6, 1996 inthe name of Curro. Other breathable backsheets including nonwoven websand apertured formed films are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,096issued to Dobrin et al. on Nov. 5, 1996. Each of these references ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

The backsheet 26, or any portion thereof, may be elastically extensiblein one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 maycomprise a structural elastic-like film (“SELF”) web. A structuralelastic-like film web is an extensible material that exhibits anelastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the use ofadded elastic materials. The SELF web includes a strainable networkhaving at least two contiguous, distinct, and dissimilar regions.Preferably, of the regions is configured so that it will exhibitresistive forces in response to an applied axial elongation in adirection parallel to the predetermined axis before a substantialportion of the other region develops significant resistive forces to theapplied elongation. At least one of the regions has a surface-pathlength that is greater than that of the other region as measuredsubstantially parallel to the predetermined axis while the material isin an untensioned condition. The region exhibiting the longersurface-path length includes one or more deformations that extend beyondthe plane of the other region. The SELF web exhibits at least twosignificantly different stages of controlled resistive force toelongation along at least one predetermined axis when subjected to anapplied elongation in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis.The SELF web exhibits first resistive forces to the applied elongationuntil the elongation of the web is sufficient to cause a substantialportion of the region having the longer surface-path length to enter theplane of applied elongation, whereupon the SELF web exhibits secondresistive forces to further elongation. The total resistive forces toelongation are higher than the first resistive forces to elongationprovided by the first region. SELF webs suitable for the presentinvention are more completely described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,801entitled Web Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior, which issued toChappell, et, al. on May 21, 1996, which is incorporated herein byreference. In alternate embodiments, the backsheet 26 may compriseelastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these or othersuitable materials with nonwovens or synthetic films.

The backsheet 26 may be joined to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core28, or any other element of the diaper 20 by any attachment means knownin the art. For example, the attachment means may include a uniformcontinuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrayof separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. One preferredattachment means comprises an open pattern network of filaments ofadhesive as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 entitled “DisposableWaste-Containment Garment”, which issued to Minetola et al. on Mar. 4,1986. Other suitable attachment means include several lines of adhesivefilaments which are swirled into a spiral pattern, as is illustrated bythe apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173 issued toSprague, Jr. on Oct. 7, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker,et al. on Nov. 22, 1978; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 issued to Wereniczon Jun. 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein byreference. Adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory aremanufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. and marketed asHL-1620 and HL-1358-XZP. Alternatively, the attachment means maycomprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamicmechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinationsof these attachment means as are known in the art.

The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the body-facingsurface of the absorbent core 28 and may be joined thereto and/or to thebacksheet 26 by any attachment means known in the art. Suitableattachment means are described above with respect to means for joiningthe backsheet 26 to other elements of the diaper 20. In one preferredembodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet26 are joined directly to each other in some locations and areindirectly joined together in other locations by directly joining themto other elements of the diaper 20.

The topsheet 24 is preferably compliant, soft feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of thetopsheet 24 is liquid pervious, permitting liquid to readily penetratethrough its thickness. A suitable topsheet 24 may be manufactured from awide range of materials, such as porous foams; reticulated foams;apertured plastic films; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers(e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester orpolypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.If the topsheet include fibers, the fibers may be spunbond, carded,wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as is knownin the art. One suitable topsheet 24 comprising a web of staple lengthpolypropylene fibers is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a Division ofInternational Paper Company, of Walpole, Mass. under the designationP-8.

Suitable formed film topsheets are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,135,entitled “Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries”, whichissued to Thompson on Dec. 30, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,246 entitled“Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Topsheet”, whichissued to Mullane, et al. on Apr. 13, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,314entitled “Resilient Plastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties”, whichissued to Radel, et al. on Aug. 3, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045entitled “Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plastic WebExhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like TactileImpression”, which issued to Ahr, et al. on Jul. 31, 1984; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,006,394 “Multilayer Polymeric Film” issued to Baird on Apr. 9,1991. Other suitable topsheets 24 can be made in accordance with U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643 which issued to Curro et al. on Sep.2, 1986 and Dec. 16, 1986, respectively, and both of which areincorporated herein by reference. Such formed films are available fromThe Proctor & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as “DRI-WEAVE” and fromTredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Ind. as “CLIFF-T.”

Preferably, the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material or istreated to be hydrophobic in order to isolate the wearer's skin fromliquids contained in the absorbent core 28. If the topsheet 24 is madeof a hydrophobic material, preferably at least the upper surface of thetopsheet 24 is treated to be hydrophilic so that liquids will transferthrough the topsheet more rapidly. This diminishes the likelihood thatbody exudates will flow off the topsheet 24 rather than being drawnthrough the topsheet 24 and being absorbed by the absorbent core 28. Thetopsheet 24 can be rendered hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactantor by incorporating a surfactant into the topsheet. Suitable methods fortreating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant include spraying the topsheet24 material with the surfactant and immersing the material into thesurfactant. A more detailed discussion of such a treatment andhydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,344 entitled“Absorbent Articles with Multiple Layer Absorbent Layers” issued toReising, et al. on Jan. 29, 1991, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,345 entitled“Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores” issued toReising on Jan. 29, 1991. A more detailed discussion of some suitablemethods for incorporating surfactant in the topsheet can be found inU.S. Statutory Invention Registration No. H1670, published on Jul. 1,1997 in the names of Aziz et al. Each of these references is herebyincorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the topsheet 24 mayinclude an apertured web or film that is hydrophobic. This may beaccomplished eliminating the hydrophilizing treatment step from theproduction process and/or applying a hydrophobic treatment to thetopsheet 24, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene compound like SCOTCHGUARDor a hydrophobic lotion composition, as described below. In suchembodiments, it is preferred that the apertures be large enough to allowthe penetration of aqueous fluids like urine without significantresistance.

Any portion of the absorbent article such as the topsheet 24, the legcuffs and/or the waist feature may be coated with a lotion as is knownin the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,607,760 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having ALotioned Topsheet Containing an Emollient and a Polyol PolyesterImmobilizing Agent” which issued to Roe on Mar. 4, 1997; U.S. Pat. No.5,609,587 entitled “Diaper Having A Lotion Topsheet Comprising A LiquidPolyol Polyester Emollient And An Immobilizing Agent” which issued toRoe on Mar. 11, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,191 entitled “Diaper Having ALotioned Topsheet Containing A Polysiloxane Emollient” which issued toRoe et al. on Jun. 3, 1997; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,588 entitled “DiaperHaving A Lotioned Topsheet” which issued to Roe et al. on Jul. 1, 1997.The lotion may function alone or in combination with another agent asthe hydrophobizing treatment described above. The topsheet may alsoinclude or be treated with antibacterial agents, some examples of whichare disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 95/24173 entitled “AbsorbentArticles Containing Antibacterial Agents in the Topsheet For OdorControl” which was published on Sep. 14, 1995 in the name of TheresaJohnson. Further, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26 or any portion ofthe topsheet or backsheet may be embossed and/or matte finished toprovide a more cloth like appearance.

The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material that isgenerally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer'sskin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine andother certain body exudates. The absorbent core 28 has longitudinal sideedges 60 and end edges 29 and can be manufactured in a wide variety ofsizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, “T”-shaped, asymmetric,etc.) and may comprise a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materialscommonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such ascomminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred to as airfelt.Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulosewadding; meltblown polymers, including coform; chemically stiffened,modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissuewraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges;superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any other knownabsorbent material or combinations of materials. In any case all or aportion of the core may include slits which allow the core to formopenings when stretched into which fecal mater can flow.

The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 may also bevaried (e.g., the absorbent core(s) or other absorbent structure(s) mayhave varying caliper zones, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbentgradient, or lower average density and lower average basis weightacquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers or structures).However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 should becompatible with the design loading and the intended use of the diaper20.

Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent assemblies aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled “High-Density AbsorbentStructures” issued to Weisman et al. on Sep. 9, 1986; U.S. Pat. No.4,673,402 entitled “Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores” issuedto Weisman et al. on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735, entitled“High Density Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower BasisWeight Acquisition Zones”, issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989;U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,231 entitled “Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer”issued to Angstadt on Dec. 19, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537 entitled“Absorbent Structure Containing Individualized, Polycarboxylic AcidCrosslinked Wood Pulp Cellulose Fibers” which issued to Herron et al. onAug. 11, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345 entitled “High EfficiencyAbsorbent Articles For Incontinence Management” issued to Young et al.on Sep. 15, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,338 entitled “Disposable AbsorbentArticle For Low-Viscosity Fecal Material” issued to Roe on Aug. 30,1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,345 entitled “Absorbent Foam Materials ForAqueous Body Fluids and Absorbent Articles Containing Such Materials”issued to DesMarais et al. on Nov. 9, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,207entitled “Thin-Until-Wet Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous BodyFluids And Process For Making Same” issued to Dyer et al. on Feb. 7,1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,316 entitled “Slitted Absorbent Members ForAqueous Body Fluids Formed Of Expandable Absorbent Materials” issued toLaVon et al. on Mar. 14, 1995; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,222 entitled“Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Fluids Made From high InternalPhase Emulsions Having Very High Water-To-Oil Ratios” issued toDesMarais et al. on Jul. 22, 1997. Each of these patents is incorporatedherein by reference.

The diaper 20 may also include a storage element 152. The storageelement may be any material or structure capable of storing bodilyexudates. Thus, the storage element 152 may include a single material ora number of materials operatively associated with each other. Further,the storage element 152 may be integral with another element of thediaper 20 or may be one or more separate elements joined directly orindirectly with one or more elements of the diaper 20. Further, thestorage element 152 may include a structure that is separate from thecore 28 or may include or be part of at least a portion of the core 28.

Suitable materials for use as the storage element 152 may include largecell open foams, macro-porous compression resistant nonwoven highlofts,large size particulate forms of open and closed cell foams (macro and/ormicroporous), highloft nonwovens, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethanefoams or particles, structures comprising a multiplicity of verticallyoriented looped strands of fibers, absorbent core structures describedabove having punched holes or depressions, and the like. (As usedherein, the term “microporous” refers to materials which are capable oftransporting fluids by capillary action. The term “macroporous” refersto materials having pores too large to effect capillary transport offluid, generally having pores greater than about 0.5 mm in diameter andmore specifically, having pores greater than about 1.0 mm in diameter.)One embodiment of a storage element includes a mechanical fastening looplanding element, having an uncompressed thickness of about 1.5millimeters available as XPL-7124 from the 3M Corporation ofMinneapolis, Minn. Another embodiment includes a 6 denier, crimped andresin-bonded nonwoven highloft having a basis weight of 110 grams persquare meter and an uncompressed thickness of 7.9 millimeters which isavailable from the Glit Company of Wrens, Ga. Other suitable absorbentand nonabsorbent storage elements are described in European PatentApplication No. EP 0 847 738 A1 entitled “Disposable Absorbent ArticleHaving Capacity to Store Low-Viscosity Fecal Material” published Jun.17, 1998 in the name of Roe, which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein. Further, the storage element 152, or any portion thereof, mayinclude or be coated with a lotion or other known substances to add,enhance or change the performance or other characteristics of theelement.

An alternate embodiment of a storage element 152 includes amacro-particulate structure 170 comprising a multiplicity of discreteparticles 172, nonlimiting examples of which are shown in FIGS. 12-14.The macro particles 172 preferably have a nominal size, preferablybetween about 1.0 mm and about 25.4 mm, and more preferably betweenabout 2 mm and about 16 mm. However, particles as small as 0.5 mm andsmaller, and particles larger than about 25.4 mm are contemplated.Particles having a nominal size of about 1.0 mm or greater are thosewhich are generally retained on the surface of a U.S. Standard No. 18mesh sieve screen. Particles having a nominal size of less than about25.4 mm are those which generally pass through a U.S. Standard 25.4 mmsieve screen. Particles having a nominal size of 16 mm or greater arethose which are generally retained on the surface of a U.S. Standard No.16 mm sieve screen. The nominal particle size is measured prior toincorporating the particles into a storage element 152 for testing oruse. Particles having a nominal size of 8 mm or greater are those whichare generally retained on the surface of a U.S. Standard 8 mm sievescreen.

The macro-particulate structure 170 may include any number of particles172. Further, the particles 172 may be unjoined and free to move withinthe structure 170 or may be joined to each other by any known means.Alternatively, the structure 170 may include an external support, suchas a meltblown hot-melt glue, a web, a netting, a scrim, a thread orother adhesive or nonadhesive entangling supports. Any of the particles172 may also be joined with any other portion of the diaper structure,such as the topsheet or the core. The particles 172 may also beconstrained in patterned, three-dimensional regions such as pleats,“pillows”, and pockets.

The individual particles 172 may be made from any material suitable foruse in absorbent articles, including the materials described above withregard to the absorbent core 28 or the storage element 152. Thematerials used in the particles 172 may be absorbent, nonabsorbent,microporous, macroporous, resilient, nonresilient, etc. or may have anyother desirable characteristic. Examples of macroporous absorbentmaterials suitable for use in the particles 172 include highloftnonwovens, open cell foams, bundles of fibers, sponges and the like.Other absorbent materials include cellulosic batts, capillary channelfibers, osmotic storage materials such as superabsorbent polymers, etc.Nonabsorbent particles 172 may comprise plastic, metal, ceramic, glass,closed cell foams, column packing materials, synthetic fibers, gels,encapsulated gas, liquids and the like. Further, any or all of theparticles 172 may include odor absorbents, lotions, skin careformulations, antimicrobials, pH buffers, enzyme inhibitors, and thelike.

The storage element 152 may comprise a single type of particle 172(size, shape, material, etc.) or may include a mixture of differentparticles 172. The mixture may be homogeneous; heterogeneous, as whenparticles 172 having different properties are disposed in certain areasof the storage element 152; layered; or any other desirableconfiguration. In some embodiments, more than one type of mixture may beemployed (e.g., macroporous and nonabsorbent particles 172 may behomogeneously mixed in one layer while another layer includes onlyabsorbent particles.) Different layers of particles may be directlyadjacent each other or may be separated by one or more materials, suchas netting, scrim, nonwoven or woven webs, film, foam, adhesive, and thelike.

The macro-particulate structure 170 preferably includes a continuousinterstitial void space 174 that is defined by the space between theparticles 172. By varying the size and/or shape of the particles 172,the interstitial void space 174 can be controlled. The particles may beof any known shape, including spheres, oblate spheroids, rectangular andpolygonal solids, and the like. Table I shows the void fractions ofparticles having particular alternative shapes and nominal sizes. Othersuitable shapes and void fractions are described in Perry's ChemicalEngineering Handbook, 6th ed., McGraw-Hill, 1984, at p. 18-20.

TABLE I Packing Type Nominal Size (mm) Void Fraction Berl saddles 6 0.6013 0.62 Intalox saddles 6 0.75 13 0.78 Pall rings 16 0.87-0.92 Raschigrings 6 0.62 13 0.64 19 0.72

Regardless of the makeup of the storage element 152, it should resistcompression so as to maintain some significant level of capacity when acompressive force is applied to the storage element 152. This attributenot only provides capacity within the storage member, but also permitsthe storage member to act as a spacer or spacing member for spacingapart at least a portion of the topsheet and the absorbent core.)Preferably, the storage element 152 is able to maintain at least about35% of its original thickness when a compressive force of 1 psi isapplied to the structure. More preferably, the storage element 152should be able to maintain at least about 50%, and most preferably atleast about 70% of its original thickness when a compressive force of 1psi is applied. Generally, in preferred embodiments, the storage element152 is able to maintain between about 35% and 99% of its originalthickness when a compressive force of 1 psi is applied to the structure.More preferably, the storage element 152 should be able to maintainbetween about 50% and 95% of its original thickness when a compressiveforce of 1 psi is applied. The storage element 152 should also becapable of restoring itself to substantially its original thickness whenthe force is removed. Preferably, the storage element 152 should recoverat least about 80% of its original thickness, and more preferably atleast about 90% of its original thickness after the compression force of1 psi is removed.

In addition to its storage function, the storage element 152 maytransport viscous fluid bodily waste within the absorbent article 20 indirections generally parallel to the plane of the backsheet 26. Thetransport may be active, such that capillary or other forces result inthe movement of the viscous fluid bodily waste or components thereof(e.g., free water). In other embodiments, the transport may be passivewhereby viscous fluid bodily waste or components thereof move throughthe structure under the influence of externally applied forces, such asgravity, wearer pressure or wearer motion. In the case of passivetransport, the storage element 152 should have relatively large,interconnected channels, or the like, such that the viscous fluid bodilywaste may readily move through the structure with minimum energy input.

The diaper 20 may also comprise at least one elastic waist feature 34that helps to provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waistfeature 34 is generally intended to elastically expand and contract todynamically fit the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 34preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least onewaist edge 29 of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms at least aportion of the end edge 52 of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers areoften constructed so as to have two elastic waist features, onepositioned in the first waist region 46 and one positioned in the secondwaist region 44. Further, while the elastic waist feature 34 or any ofits constituent elements may comprise one or more separate elementsaffixed to the diaper 20, the elastic waist feature 34 may beconstructed as an extension of other elements of the diaper 20, such asthe backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, or both the backsheet 26 and thetopsheet 24.

The elastic waist feature 34 may be constructed in a number of differentconfigurations including those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,595issued to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,189 issuedto Lash on Dec. 1, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 5, 151,092 issued to Buell onSep. 9, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22,1993. Other suitable waist configurations may include waistcap featuressuch as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,364 issued to Robertsonon Jun. 25, 1991 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,025 issued to Foreman on Mar.28, 1989. All of the above mentioned references are incorporated hereinby reference.

The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 36. The fasteningsystem 36 preferably maintains the side panels 30 of the first waistregion 46 and the second waist region 44 in at least partiallyoverlapped condition to provide lateral tensions about the circumferenceof the diaper 20 when it is worn, to hold the diaper 20 on the wearer.The fastening system 36 preferably comprises securement members 37 thatcan be in the form of tape tabs that engage a landing member 38, and/orhook and loop fastening components, although any other known fasteningmeans are generally acceptable. Some exemplary fastening systems aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594 entitled “Tape Fastening System forDisposable Diaper” issued to Buell on Nov. 19, 1974; U.S. Pat. No. B14,662,875 entitled “Absorbent Article” issued to Hirotsu et al. on May5, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,815 entitled “Disposable Diaper Having AnImproved Fastening Device” issued to Scripps on Jul. 11, 1989; U.S. Pat.No. 4,894,060 entitled “Disposable Diaper With Improved Hook FastenerPortion” issued to Nestegard on Jan. 16, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,527entitled “Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Fastener And Method of MakingSame” issued to Battrell on Aug. 7, 1990; and the herein beforereferenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993. The fasteningsystem may also provide a means for holding the article in a disposalconfiguration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,140 issued toRobertson et al. on Oct. 16, 1990. Each of these patents is incorporatedherein by reference. In alternative embodiments, opposing sides of thegarment may be seamed or welded to form a pant. This allows the articleto be used as a pull-on type diaper, such as a training pant.

The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels 30 maybe elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable andbody-conforming fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper 20 tothe wearer and sustaining this fit throughout the time of wear well pastwhen the diaper 20 has been loaded with exudates since the elasticizedside panels 30 allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand and contract.The side panels 30 may also provide more effective application of thediaper 20 because even if the diaperer pulls one elasticized side panel30 farther than the other during application, the diaper 20 will“self-adjust” during wear.

While the diaper 20 of the present invention preferably has the sidepanels 30 disposed in the second waist region 44, the diaper 20 may beprovided with side panels 30 disposed in the first waist region 46 or inboth the first waist region 46 and the second waist region 44. The sidepanels 30 may be constructed in any suitable configurations. Examples ofdiapers with elasticized side panels are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,857,067, entitled “Disposable Diaper Having Shirred Ears” issued toWood, et al. on Aug. 15, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,781 issued toSciaraffa, et al. on May 3, 1983; U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,753 issued to VanGompel, et al. on Jul. 3, 1990; the herein before referenced U.S. Pat.No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,897 issuedto LaVon, et al. on Sep. 23, 1997 entitled “Absorbent Articles ProvidingSustained Dynamic Fit”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/155,048entitled “Absorbent Article With Multi-Directional Extensible SidePanels” filed Nov. 19, 1993 in the names of Robles, et al.; each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 preferably further includes leg cuffs 32 that provideimproved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Leg cuffs mayalso be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, or elasticcuffs. U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper whichprovides a contractible leg opening having a side flap and one or moreelastic members to provide an elasticized leg cuff (a gasketing cuff).U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. on Feb. 28,1989 and Mar. 20, 1990, respectively, describe disposable diapers having“stand-up” elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) which improve thecontainment of the leg regions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,278 and 4,795,454issued to Lawson on Sep. 22, 1987 and to Dragoo on Jan. 3, 1989,respectively, describe disposable diapers having dual cuffs, includinggasketing cuffs and barrier cuffs. In some embodiments, it may bedesirable to treat all or a portion of the leg cuffs with a lotion, asdescribed above. In addition to leg cuffs 32, diaper 20 can also includean elastic gasketing cuff 63 with one or more elastic strands 65positioned outboard of the barrier cuff.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include pockets forreceiving and containing waste, spacers or spacing members which providevoids for waste, barriers for limiting the movement of waste within thearticle, compartments or voids which accept and contain waste materialsdeposited in the diaper, and the like, or any combinations thereof.Examples of pockets and spacers for use in absorbent products aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,121 issued to Roe et al. on May 7,1996, entitled “Diaper Having Expulsive Spacer”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,236issued to Dreier et al on Dec. 15, 1992, entitled “Disposable AbsorbentArticle Having Core Spacers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,318 issued to Dreieron Mar. 14, 1995, entitled “Absorbent Article Having A Pocket Cuff”;U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,671 issued to Dreier on Jul. 30, 1996, entitled“Absorbent Article Having A Pocket Cuff With An Apex”; and PCTApplication WO 93/25172 published Dec. 3, 1993, entitled “Spacers ForUse In Hygienic Absorbent Articles And Disposable Absorbent ArticlesHaving Such Spacer”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,266, entitled “FlexibleSpacers For Use In Disposable Absorbent Articles”, issued to Freeland onApr. 26, 1994. Examples of compartments or voids are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,968,312, entitled “Disposable Fecal Compartmenting Diaper”,issued to Khan on Nov. 6, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,147, entitled“Absorbent Article With Elastic Liner For Waste Material Isolation”,issued to Freeland on Feb. 5, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,62,840, entitled“Disposable Diapers”, issued to Holt et al on Nov. 5, 1991; and U.S.Pat. No. 5,269,755 entitled “Trisection Topsheets For DisposableAbsorbent Articles And Disposable Absorbent Articles Having SuchTrisection Topsheets”, issued to Freeland et al on Dec. 14, 1993.Examples of suitable transverse barriers are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,554,142 entitled “Absorbent Article Having Multiple Effective HeightTransverse Partition” issued Sep. 10, 1996 in the name of Dreier et al.;PCT Patent WO 94/14395 entitled “Absorbent Article Having An UpstandingTransverse Partition” published Jul. 7, 1994 in the name of Freeland, etal.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,703 Absorbent Article Having AngularUpstanding Transverse Partition, issued Aug. 5, 1997 to Roe, et al. Thedisclosures of each of the above-cited patents and publications arehereby incorporated by reference herein.

In addition to being liquid permeable the topsheet is preferablyextensible, either inelastically or elastically. The attribute of liquidpermeability is generally preferred in a topsheet, whether it is in itsextended state or in its relaxed or contracted state, in order to enableliquids to pass therethrough to be absorbed by absorbent core 28.Elastic extensibility can be provided to the topsheet by forming thetopsheet from an inherently elastic material, such as a thin, aperturedsheet made from rubber, latex, elastically extensible polymeric film, orthe like. Additionally, the topsheet can be formed from an inherentlysubstantially inelastic material, such as a woven or nonwoven sheet offibrous material that is so formed or so treated as to be made to beelastic, such as by means of corrugating, ring rolling, or the like (seedescription and patents incorporated by reference in the discussionabove relating to elastic extensibility of backsheet 26). If elasticextensibility is provided to the topsheet by one of the rollingtechniques identified hereinabove, it is preferred that the attribute ofelastic extensibility be provided in at least the cross-machinedirection, so that at least a portion of the topsheet can be extended ina transverse direction relative to diaper 20, which corresponds with thewidth dimension of the topsheet and of the diaper.

A topsheet in accordance with the present invention preferably includesone or more regions that when placed under tension includes a pluralityof relatively small openings that extend through the topsheet. Suchopenings permit the passage through the topsheet of semi-solids, such asloose or runny bowel movements of the character typically associatedwith newborn infants and very young babies, and of others suffering fromdiarrhea. When the tensile forces acting on such a topsheet arereleased, the elasticity of the material causes the topsheet to contractto its original, untensioned condition, resulting in the closing of thepreviously-existing small openings, thereby preventing the furtherpassage through the topsheet of non-liquids. Upon the closing of theopenings the matter that has passed through the topsheet is retainedbetween the absorbent core and the topsheet. Moreover, if the topsheetmaterial is opaque, or substantially opaque, the bowel movement will notbe visible, thereby rendering diapering a less unappealing and lessunwelcome chore.

Regions of the topsheet that are intended to present openings throughthe topsheet when the topsheet is placed under laterally-directedtensile forces are preferably pierced by providing a plurality ofdiscontinuities in the form of slits, cuts, or perforations that extendthrough the topsheet. The discontinuities are arranged to define in thetopsheet a predetermined pattern of discrete, localized regions ofslits, cuts, or perforations. The discontinuities permit the edges ofthe topsheet that surround the discontinuities to separate from eachother and thereby provide the desired plurality of small openings. Suchdiscontinuities are preferably in the form of rectilinear cuts,curvilinear cuts, or combinations thereof, that can be made by a varietyof cutting devices of the types known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown the body-facing surface of adisposable diaper 200 having a topsheet 202 in accordance with thepresent invention. In all other respects the structure of diaper 200 isthe same as that shown in FIG. 1 and described above in connection withdiaper 20. As shown in FIG. 2, topsheet 202 includes a pattern 204 ofdiscrete, spaced discontinuities defined by a plurality of rectilinearcuts or slits 206 that extend through topsheet 202. Slits 206 arepreferably oriented so that they extend in the longitudinal direction ofdiaper 200, in the direction of longitudinal centerline 100, and theyalso are preferably aligned to define a plurality of laterally spacedcolumns 208 that also extend in the longitudinal direction of diaper200. As they are shown in FIG. 2, slits 206 are of substantially equallength, but they can be of different lengths, if desired. Also as shownin FIG. 2, slits 206 of a given column 208 are longitudinally andequally spaced from each other, and adjacent columns 208 are at atransverse spacing 209 from each other and are positioned so that theends of slits 206 of one column 208 are longitudinally offset from theends of slits 206 of adjacent columns 208. Accordingly, laterallyopposite the intervening uncut spaces between aligned slits 206 of onecolumn 208 are slits 206 of the adjacent columns 208. As it isillustrated in FIG. 2, topsheet 202 is in its relaxed, untensionedcondition, at a time when slits 206 are in substantially closedcondition in that the edges of the slits are substantially in contactwith each other so as to make topsheet 202 appear to the naked eye to bea continuous topsheet without cuts or slits, but still liquid permeable.

When laterally-directed tensile forces are applied to topsheet 202, theextensibility of topsheet 202 results in lateral stretching of thetopsheet. Under that condition, the uncut areas 210 between adjacentslits 206 are subjected to the laterally-directed tensile forces andthey stretch in a lateral direction, causing edges of slits 206 toseparate from each other to provide individual openings 212, as shown inFIG. 3. Because of the disposition, size, and spacing of slits 206relative to each other, openings 212 are diamond-shaped, as shown inFIG. 4. Such laterally-applied tensile forces are imposed when ears 30in rear waist region 44 of diaper 200 are each drawn laterally outwardlyin opposite directions, to enable the diaper rear waist region to bedrawn against the back of the wearer and around the wearer's waist sothat ears 30 of rear waist area 44 at least partially overlap ears 30 offront waist region 46. When in the condition illustrated in FIG. 4, theplural openings 212 in tensioned topsheet 202 are sufficiently large topermit semisolid fecal matter 207 to pass from wearer 205 throughopenings 212 in topsheet 202 to absorbent core 28, as shown in FIG. 5.When the passage of fecal material 207 occurs through topsheet 202, theliquid component of the material is absorbed by absorbent core 28 whilethe solid component of the material remains between absorbent core 28and topsheet 202, as shown in FIG. 6.

When diaper 202 is subsequently removed from the body of the wearer, thetensile forces that previously served to hold the diaper snugly aboutthe waist of the wearer are released, thereby permitting topsheet 202 toreturn to its original, untensioned condition. Upon release of thetensile forces acting on topsheet 202, and the contraction of topsheet202 to its original, unstretched condition, the plurality of smallopenings 212 that were present when topsheet 202 was in the tensionedstate are now closed, as illustrated in FIG. 7, which serves to concealfrom view the portion of the fecal material that passed through thetopsheet.

Additionally or alternatively, the topsheet 202 may be subjected tolongitudinal-directed tensile forces. In such cases, the longitudinalextension of the topsheet cause the edges of slits 206 to separate fromeach other to provide individual openings 212, as described above. Suchlongitudinally-applied tensile forces may be imposed when the firstwaist region 46 and the second waist region 44 are drawn longitudinallyapart during the diapering process. Also, if the diaper 20 is configuredsuch that the topsheet 202 is shorter longitudinally than the backsheet26, the topsheet 202 will be expanded when the diaper is fitted to awearer, thereby opening the slits 206.

When slits 206 in topsheet 202 are of rectilinear form, as shown in FIG.2, the slits 206 can have a length of from about 1.0 mm to about 100 mm,preferably from about 2.0 mm to about 50.0 mm, and most preferably fromabout 3.0 mm to about 10.0 mm. The longitudinal spacing 210 betweenadjacent slits 206 can be up to about 10.0 mm, preferably up to about5.0 mm, and most preferably up to about 2.0 mm. The transverse spacing209 between adjacent columns 208 of aligned slits 206 can be up to about10.0 mm, preferably up to about 5.0 mm, and most preferably up to about2.0 mm. The longitudinal offset 211 of the ends of the slits 206 inadjacent columns 208 can be from about 0 mm to about 100 mm, preferablyfrom about 2.0 mm to about 50 mm, and most preferably from about 3.0 mmto about 10.0 mm.

Although shown in FIG. 2 as a series of parallel columns 208 of alignedslits 206, slit pattern 204 can, if desired, be such that the slits of agiven column are not precisely aligned with each other but are laterallyoffset from each other, staggered or randomly disposed throughout all ora portion of the topsheet. Preferably, however, slits 206 are sodisposed that the application of tensile forces to topsheet 202 resultsin a plurality of substantially equal area openings having an area offrom about 1.0 mm² to about 2500 mm², that are substantially uniformlydistributed over the entirety of cut pattern 204. Although openings 212preferably are of substantially equal area, the areas of the openingsneed not be equal. For example, the areas of openings 212 can be largerin the portion of topsheet 202 that lies at and adjacent longitudinalcenterline 100 of diaper 200. Additionally, larger openings 212 can beprovided in the portion of topsheet 202 that lies at and adjacent theintersection of longitudinal centerline 100 and transverse centerline110.

Although slits 206 are shown in FIG. 2 as having a rectilinear form,they can alternatively be curvilinear or of any other suitable geometry.If desired, or a combination of rectilinear and curvilinear forms. Oneform of such curvilinear slits 214 is shown in FIG. 8. When a topsheet215 having the slit form and the column and row slit pattern shown inFIG. 8 is stretched laterally, slits 214 open to define respectivesubstantially crescent-shaped openings 216, as shown in FIG. 9.

In addition to the longitudinally aligned slits illustrated in slitpattern 204 shown in FIG. 2, the slit pattern can be arranged as shownin FIG. 10. As there shown, the individual slits in topsheet 220 can bedisposed in a pattern 222 of angularly disposed slits 224. Althoughslits 224 are each defined by a straight line cut, and although slitpattern 222 of FIG. 10 defines a series of laterally spaced,longitudinal columns each defined by a plurality of slits 224, each ofslits 224 is inclined at an acute angle θ relative to a line 226 that isparallel to the longitudinal axis of the diaper. The inclination angle θpreferably is less than about 45°, and more preferably is less thanabout 30°. Moreover, slits 224 can each be disposed at the sameinclination angle, as shown in FIG. 10, or, alternatively, theinclination angles of the slits can differ within slit pattern 222, toprovide topsheet openings that have different areas in different regionsof the topsheet. Additionally, the slit pattern can include bothrectilinear slits and curvilinear slits, if desired.

Slit pattern 204 shown in FIG. 2 can, if desired, be an overall patternthat extends over the entire surface of topsheet 202. Additionally,however, slit pattern 204 can be provided only in a limited area oftopsheet 202, such as in the rear waist region 44 and the crotch region48, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, slit pattern 204 extends over anarea sufficiently large that when topsheet 202 is subjected to tension,at least some of the resulting openings in the topsheet are positionedopposite the wearer's anal opening when the diaper is worn, regardlessof the position of the diaper relative to the body of the wearer andregardless of the size of the body of the wearer. Accordingly, it ispreferred that slit pattern 204 extend over at least a portion of crotchregion 48. Of course, that same slit pattern coverage variation alsoapplies to curvilinear slits 214 and angularly disposed slits 224 shownin figures and 10, respectively.

In preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the topsheet preferablyhas a trans-topsheet capacity when extended of at least about 0.20g/in², more preferably at least about 0.60 g/in². (Trans-topsheetcapacity “TTSC”, as used herein refers to the amount of fluid whichpasses through a portion of the topsheet material per unit area whensubjected to the test methods described in detail in European PatentApplication No. EP 0 847 738 A1 entitled “Disposable Absorbent ArticleHaving Capacity to Store Low-Viscosity Fecal Material” published Jun.17, 1998 in the name of Roe, which is incorporated by reference herein.)It is also preferred that the topsheet have an effective open area ofgreater than or equal to about 15%, preferably about 20%. Exemplarytopsheets and the methods for measuring the effective open area aredescribed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,388 which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

It is also preferred that backsheet 26 be extensible, preferably havingan extensibility of from about 10% to about 500%, more preferably fromabout 50% to about 300%, so that the backsheet and the topsheet eachstretch laterally simultaneously when diaper 200 is applied to the bodyof a wearer. Such mutual extension of the backsheet and topsheet resultsin a snug and body-conforming fit of the diaper on the body of thewearer, with the topsheet extended an amount sufficient to open theslits formed therein, and without excessive bagginess or bulkiness ofthe diaper so that it does not cause undesirable protrusion of thewearer's clothing that is positioned about the wearer's lower torso.Preferably, the extensibility of backsheet 26 is provided in at leastthe rear waist region 44 and in at least a portion of crotch region 48of the diaper.

Instead of having the attribute of elastic extensibility, backsheet 26can alternatively be of a substantially inelastic nature, if desired. Inthat event, it is preferred that backsheet 26 have a greater widthand/or length than that of topsheet 202, as shown in FIG. 11, whereinthe narrower, slit-containing, elastically extensible topsheet 202causes a substantially crescent-shaped gap between the topsheet and theabsorbent core 28 when the diaper is viewed in cross section. When adiaper having such a structure is applied to the body of a wearertopsheet 202 will be subjected to tension, thereby causing slits 206provided therein to open and to permit the benefits of the presentinvention to be realized.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article adapted to be worn adjacent the lower torso of a wearer for receiving and retaining bodily exudates, the absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of end edges, said absorbent article comprising: a. a liquid impervious, backsheet having an outer, garment-facing surface and an inner, body-facing surface; b. an absorbent core having a shape to enable the core to be placed adjacent the body of a wearer and having the capacity of absorbing liquids; c. a flexible, liquid-pervious topsheet overlying the absorbent core, the topsheet including a plurality of spaced discontinuities disposed over at least a portion of the absorbent core, the spaced discontinuities are substantially closed when the topsheet is in an untensioned condition and are open to define a plurality of spaced openings extending through the topsheet when the topsheet is subjected to tension, to enable solid and semi-solid body exudates to pass through the topsheet; and d. a storage element disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and at least a portion of the absorbent core for receiving the bodily exudates.
 2. An absorbent article in accordance with claim 1, wherein the article includes a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region, and wherein the discontinuities are disposed adjacent at least a portion of the storage element.
 3. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the storage element spaces the topsheet from the absorbent core.
 4. The absorbent article of claim 1 further including a spacing member disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet which provides a cavity between at least a portion of the topsheet and the absorbent core for receiving bodily exudates.
 5. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the backsheet has a length or width greater than the length or width, respectively, of the topsheet such that when the topsheet and the backsheet are joined together a cavity is formed between the topsheet and the storage element.
 6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the discontinuities are cuts that extend through the topsheet.
 7. The absorbent article of claim 6, wherein at least some of the cuts are rectilinear and/or curvilinear.
 8. The absorbent article of claim 6, wherein the cuts are disposed in a plurality of spaced, substantially aligned columns, staggered columns or are generally randomly disposed throughout at least a portion of the topsheet.
 9. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the topsheet is elastically extensible.
 10. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the topsheet is inelastically extensible.
 11. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the backsheet is elastically extensible.
 12. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the backsheet is substantially inextensible.
 13. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article includes a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region, and wherein the discontinuities are disposed in at least the crotch region of the absorbent article.
 14. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the storage element includes a material selected from the following group: large cell open foams, macro-porous compression resistant nonwoven highlofts, large size particulate foams of open and closed cell foams, highloft nonwovens, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethane foams or particles, structures comprising a multiplicity of vertically oriented looped strands of fibers, and absorbent core structures having punched holes or depressions.
 15. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the topsheet has an effective open area of greater than or equal to about 15%.
 16. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the absorbent core is slit such that it can expand to form openings in the core for receiving fecal matter.
 17. An absorbent article adapted to be worn adjacent the lower torso of a wearer for receiving and retaining bodily exudates, the absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of end edges, said absorbent article comprising: a. a liquid impervious, backsheet having an outer, garment-facing surface and an inner, body-facing surface; b. a flexible, liquid-pervious topsheet overlying an absorbent core, the topsheet including a plurality of spaced discontinuities disposed over at least a portion of the absorbent core, the spaced discontinuities are substantially closed when the topsheet is in an untensioned condition and are open to define a plurality of spaced openings extending through the topsheet when the topsheet is subjected to tension, to enable solid and semi-solid body exudates to pass through the topsheet; and d. a storage element disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and at least a portion of the absorbent core for receiving the bodily exudates, the storage element including a multiplicity of macro-particulate elements.
 18. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein the macro-particulate elements have a nominal size of between about 1.0 mm and about 25.4 mm.
 19. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein at least some of the macro-particulate elements are absorbent.
 20. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein at least some of the macro-particulate elements are non-absorbent.
 21. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein at least some of the macro-particulate elements are microporous.
 22. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein at least some of the macro-particulate elements are resilient.
 23. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein the storage element includes a support associated with at least some of the macro-particulate elements, the support selected from the following group: a glue, a web, a netting, a scrim, a thread.
 24. The absorbent article of claim 17 including a mixture of different macro-particulate elements.
 25. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein the storage element includes more than one layer of macro-particulate elements.
 26. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein the storage element has an original thickness measured in the absence of a compressive force and the storage element is capable of maintaining at least about 35% of the original thickness when subjected to a compressive force of 1 psi.
 27. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein the storage element is capable of maintaining at least about 50% of the original thickness when subjected to a compressive force of 1 psi.
 28. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein the backsheet has a length or width greater than the length or width, respectively of the topsheet such that when the topsheet and the backsheet are joined together a cavity is formed between the topsheet and the storage element.
 29. The absorbent article of claim 17 further including a spacing member disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet which provides a cavity between at least a portion of the topsheet and the absorbent core for receiving bodily exudates.
 30. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein the storage element spaces the topsheet from the absorbent core.
 31. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the topsheet has an effective open area of greater than or equal to about 15%.
 32. An absorbent article adapted to be worn adjacent the lower torso of a wearer for receiving and retaining bodily exudates, the absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of end edges, said absorbent article comprising: a. a liquid impervious, backsheet having an outer, garment-facing surface and an inner, body-facing surface; b. an elastically extensible, liquid-pervious topsheet overlying an absorbent core, the topsheet including a plurality of spaced discontinuities that are substantially closed when the topsheet is in an untensioned condition and that are open to define a plurality of spaced openings extending through the topsheet when the topsheet is subjected to tension, to enable solid and semi-solid body exudates to pass through the topsheet; and d. a storage element disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and at least a portion of the absorbent core for receiving the bodily exudates, the storage element including a multiplicity of macro-particulate elements.
 33. The absorbent article of claim 32 wherein the macro-particulate elements have a nominal size of between about 1.0 mm and about 25.4 mm.
 34. The absorbent article of claim 32 wherein the storage element includes a support associated with at least some of the macro-particulate elements, the support selected from the following group: a glue, a web, a netting, a scrim, a thread.
 35. The absorbent article of claim 32 wherein the backsheet has a length or width greater than the length or width, respectively, of the topsheet such that when the topsheet and the backsheet are joined together a cavity is formed between the topsheet and the storage element. 